Stacking the Shelves (#13)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga over at Tynga Reviews.

A small, but awesome haul this week!

Purchased: 

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

World After by Susan EE
BEYOND EXCITED TO START THIS.

Edelweiss:

Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman
Currently working on my review for this one (won't be up until closer to the release date, though).

Have you read/do you plan to read any of these books? :)

Taste of Darkness by Maria V Snyder

GoodReads Summary: She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

- Add to GoodReads
- Visit Maria V Snyder's website

Source: NetGalley
Expected publication date: 31/12/13

Thoughts:

This is the second conclusion to a trilogy I've finished this month, and I'm happy to report that it is another satisfying one. The romance was delightful, the world-building thorough, and the characterization spot on.

Avry and Kerrick have been through a lot and trouble continues to follow them in ToD. The book opens with Avry discovering that Kerrick has disappeared, a search soon ensues and although there is a silent agreement that Kerrick is no more she refuses to believe it. I've said it once, I'll say it again, Avry is a selfless, kind, and kick-butt heroine. When she finds out that Kerrick is missing her stubborn nature doesn't allow her to break down or whine, instead she takes action - she searches and searches and even when she has to stop she doesn't lose hope. Avry and Kerrick are one of my favourite YA couples, their love and mutual respect for each other always has me swooning. Oh, and there is a lot of kissing in ToD so, you know, there's that too.

Taste of Darkness, as the titles hints is darker than the previous two books. We finally meet the elusive Skeleton King and man is he creepy. And of course there's Tohon, who's presence does not waver despite being frozen in a stasis for most of the book. The delightful set of secondary characters are also back and I have to say that Flea has become surprisingly dear to me and I just love Odd and Ryne.

If there's one thing that can be said about Snyder it's that she never fails to impress. Her Study trilogy is up there on my favourites shelf and now this is too.

Rating:

Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

GoodReads Summary: Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

- Add to GoodReads
- Follow Veronica Rossi on Twitter
- Visit Veronica Rossi's website

**WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS A SPOILER FROM BOOK 2**

Source: Edelweiss
Expected publication date: 24/01/14

Thoughts:

For me, it always bit nerve wrecking going into the final book in a series/trilogy, because I so badly want my  favourite characters to have the happy ending they deserve. When trying to rate Into the Still Blue I kept going back and forth between 4 and 5 stars, in the end, though, I settled for 4 stars. Why? Because although it was a good ending, it wasn't a particularly mind blowing one.

Perry and Roar are both grieving over Liv's death, but have different ways of dealing with it, and this ultimately creates a rift between them. Perry keeps his feelings bubbled up, because he's afraid that if he stops to think about it he won't be able to do his job as the tribe leader. Roar on the other hand has no qualms about letting out his frustration, anger and grief, and is annoyed that Perry won't even talk about. If there's one thing that Rossi excels at it's making her readers feel a whirl wind of emotions. I don't think I've ever been so attached to a set of characters before. I loved the interaction between them, and appreciated the fact that despite this being the final book in the trilogy they still continued to grow.

Aria and Roar have the best platonic relationship ever. I said this in my review of book 2, but it just has to be said again: I completely and truly admire Rossi for not going down the frustrating path of a love triangle. I want to see more boy/girl friendships like this one. They banter, they care about each other, and most of all they are just friends.

Overall, it was a satisfying end to the trilogy and I look forward to Rossi's future titles.

Rating:

Stacking the Shelves (#12)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga over at Tynga Reviews.

Purchased:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (audiobook)

Until It Hurts to Stop by Jennifer Hubbard 
Not my usual type of read, but I though I'd give it go as the premise sounds interesting.

Wool by Hugh Howey
I'm not too sure about this one, but Amber over at Books of Amber speaks highly of it so I'm curious.

Have you read/do you plan to read any of these books? :)

Stacking the Shelves (#11)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga over at Tynga Reviews.

The 21st Birthday edition! Hehee. :D

Edelweiss:

Into the Still Blue be Veronica Rossi
BEYOND EXICTED TO START THIS.

 NetGalley:
Taste of Darkness by Maria V Snyder
Can't wait to see how the trilogy ends!

 Purchased: 

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (audiobook)

Kinslayer by Jay Kristoff

The Cuckoo's Calling by J.K. Rowling (audiobook)
Loved the narrator of this audiobook. Even though I can't say it's a favourite it was still enjoyable. I really liked the two main characters, Cormoran and Robin. Definitely looking forward to the sequel! 

Have you read/do you plan to read any of these books? :)

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

- Add to GoodReads

Source: NetGalley
Expected publication date: 10/12/13 

**Mini Review**

Thoughts:

Despite not having much luck with YA books set in space I was really excited about These Broken Stars. With the glowing reviews, gorgeous cover, and intriguing premise how could I not be?

Ultimately what let me down was the characters and romance.  Lilac and Tarver felt like card board cut outs, and the romance between them was the love/hate kind. If done well this kind of romance can work (e.g. Forsaken by Jana Oliver and Every Boy's Got One by Meg Cabot), but unfortunately it just wasn't the case here. I wouldn't call it insta-love, but upon meeting each other there is an immediate attraction between them. However, to keep Tarver at a distance and to cover her attraction towards him Lilac acts like a snob, and he in turn pretends to hate her back, because he's not going to admit to being attracted to a spoiled rich girl. Their contest internal lust for each other paired with their outward hate left me feeling annoyed and uninterested in their romance.

I think plenty of people will enjoy TBS, but because I didn't feel invested in the romance or connected to the characters I didn't.

Rating:

The Bride Wore Size 12 by Meg Cabot

GoodReads Summary: Heather Wells is used to having her cake and eating it too, but this time her cake just might be cooked. Her wedding cake, that is.

With her upcoming nuptials to PI Cooper Cartwright only weeks away, Heather's already stressed. And when a pretty junior turns up dead, Heather's sure things can't get worse—until every student in the dorm where she works is a possible suspect, and Heather's long-lost mother shows up.

Heather has no time for a tearful mother and bride reunion. She has a wedding to pull off and a murder to solve. Instead of wedding bells, she might be hearing wedding bullets, but she's determined to bring the bad guys to justice if it's the last thing she does . . . and this time, it just might be.

- Add to GoodReads
- Follow Meg Cabot on Twitter
- Visit Meg Cabot's website

Source: Edelweiss
Expected publication date: 24/09/13

Thoughts:

Meg Cabot is one of my favourite authors, reading a book by her gives me that warm enveloping feeling of coming home.

In TBWS12 Heather has got a lot on her plate. Not only does she have wedding plans to make, but she also has to deal with: yet another death, a VIR (Very Important Resident), and her mum(!).

Heather has really grown throughout the series. In the final book you can see that she’s happy with where’s she at, because she 1) no longer obsesses over her weight 2) is marrying the man of her dreams 3) has a wonderful and supportive array of friends and 4) has a job that she loves. She's come along way since book 1 and I for one am proud of her.

I love the relationship between Heather and Cooper. Their constant back and forth is hilarious, and Cooper's protectiveness towards Heather is sweet. I also like how Cooper doesn't immediately rush to Heather’s side thinking that she needs be rescued. Instead he lets her handle the situation -like the tough cookie she is- on her own, and is there and ready to jump in should she need him.

And of course where would the Heather Wells Mysteries series be without it's colour cast of characters. From Gavin the flirt, and Magda the lady with the bubbly personality to Cooper's crazy sisters and Lisa, Heather's boss. This wonderful bunch add a good dose of humour and fun to the book.

Overall, for a happily ever after girl like myself I thought it was a perfect end to the series.

"I'll have a fingers sandwich for you when I get home, big boy," I say, lowering my voice to a sexy growl.
Cooper sounds delighted.
 "Whoa. Is that a promise?"
"Uh..." I was actually joking. I'm not even sure what a finger sandwich is, in sexual terms. Is it a thing?
* Quote from e-arc. May be subject to change.

Rating: